The Run

I wrote this long ago after doing a marathon of my own devising that included a mountain in the middle of it. I will stick to 5k runs for now.

The Run

I find love of power and strength.

Since self began the mark upon my leg blazed.

Agile legs pulse hard on the ground,

Heart and lungs sing in harmonious rhythm.

Old house so dark and quiet watches as I pass.

I stare at the cold gray stones of death,

All the while warm muscles push on.

The tall beautiful mountain benignly challenges my endurance.

I drink from the cool clear water of nature.

Birds and chipmunks see my brief passage.

Progress frequently hurries by.

Cooling me with its whirlwind

The hot stinking road burns my feet.

Still I run on.

The cool refreshment of nature cannot be found in the house of man.

Still I push on.

The machine-like muscles scream in pain.

I become tired.

I hurt.

The world and all its chains become an illusion.

Cold drenching rain pounds my body

Clothes now heavy from sweat and the drops feel like lead.

Still the power surges in my veins.

I cannot.

I will not give up.

Strange people glare at the running wet idiot.

I laugh,

I cry,

I sing,

Mind becomes the body.

Body becomes nature.

Nature expands to the seven corners of space.

I am

The questions and the answer become one.

I cry

I have reached that gray horizon.

However, knowing and having is not one.

I cry

I laugh

So close yet ghosts of this world defile the horizon.

Still I keep the pace for I have the power.

I will turn the world upon its axis to keep time going.

Again, I see the hot hard pavement.

Mind and body fight

Almost there says mind.

I am tired cries body.

Spirit is still singing and pays no heed to either.

I collapse at the completion.

Run is over.

I faced and beat back all the dark demons of pain.

I still do not possess the sword of truth.

The light of faith and hope I have found.

Sweet elixir, of youth be mine

I sharpen my mind on the hard stone of my ancestors past.

As the run so be my life,

Be it long or short.

Fail or succeed,

The door and the room be one.

I sing for the power is mine.

Love of all flows from my heart,

Blackness from my brain gurgles forth.

It all is one and complete.

I smile at the soothing pain.

Reality rushes to my rescue.

I cry

The world continues its hurried mad like race.

I smile at it all for I know.

I laugh, and cry for I have the power and the strength.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I ran in the Soldiers events years ago. I loved running. Running is a private sport. We test ourselves and try to become better. I understand and I liked this poem. Thank you my friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[H.L. Cerveise]

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I am now only running 5k distances. I did improve my times as this year went on so I am happy with that.

[Coyote Poetry]

Take time and practice. I ran in event for 20 years. 5k is a good run and you are welcome.

[Vatsal Rohilla (account..]

I have never participated in a marathon but, I have climbed quite a few mountains. I can relate to this poem. While the runner incommodes his legs and perspires badly, he spontaneously observes the surroundings and absorbs their beauty, and this beauty seems to enhance his inner strength. A very nice piece. Keep writing.

[H.L. Cerveise]

Thank you for reading my writing. It is true climbing mountains take the same inner strength. I am glad you liked it.

[Emily]

Lovely poem!!
Keep it up!!

[H.L. Cerveise]

Thank you for reviewing my poem. I am glad you enjoyed it. I just ran a 5K this past weekend and parts of this writing played through my mind as I ran and did my personal best.

[Tristin Sky]

Very nicely written. Great Job!

[H.L. Cerveise]

Thank you, I am glad you liked it.

[barleygirl]

I've done quite a few endurance feats myself (long ago), so I totally relate to this . . . good job showing how it's almost as much a fight over one's mind as over one's body. Your repeated bouts of feeling it physically are interspersed with the various ways one's mind goes off on tangents, feeling euphoric in the midst of pain & exhaustion . . . it's all very true-to-life for long extended efforts of any kind, really. It's true the way we alternate our focus, almost like an internal argument, which you've showed so well here.

[H.L. Cerveise]

Thank you. Your reviews show me that I am getting my point across. When it comes to going off on tangents, they are what I can't stop within me. To be honest I think it is good thing and the blessing and the bane of all poets.

[Luisa König]

I've never been in a situation like this but now i can imagine how it must feel like :)

[William Liston]

Great job. This poem has a lovely flow and vivid imagery.

-William Liston

[Trisha Logan Hillery]

Just Brilliant! Literally, I felt like I was running WITH you. Good writers paint pictures with words, and I feel as though I'm looking at a lovely work of art. I'm so happy to meet a fellow-runner through this site.